Noelle Thompson joins Celtic as one of our Social Media Managers. She supports the social media marketing efforts for our roster of clients, helping create, publish, and monitor content. She brings to the team a suite of creative talents including, animation, motion graphics, illustration, fine art, and writing!
We are excited for you to read through her answers from a recent sit-down with Noelle. Enjoy!
How did you end up working in the industry?
I have been a creative person since I could hold a pencil. I’ve spent my life mastering and indulging in multiple different art mediums, including animation, motion graphics, illustration, fine art, writing, 3D modeling, and more. I am an inherently curious person when it comes to all things creative. In 2020, I graduated from Columbia College Chicago with a degree in 3D animation and a minor in graphic design. Because the industry is highly competitive, and I graduated during the pandemic, I struggled to find my footing in the industry. For 2 years, I worked as a supervisor in the kitchen department of a grocery store, until I found an opportunity to step into the Advertising industry. For a year, I worked in paid social for Publicis Media, but I craved the creative, organic side of Advertising.
What do you enjoy the most about your job?
At Celtic, I get to be the brains and ideas behind every campaign and post we make. At my last job, I was told where to put ads, when to run them, and handed the creative to input into the UI. It was strictly the technical side. At Celtic, I have the freedom to input my own ideas, while working with other like-minded creatives in a collaborative environment. Together, we get to brainstorm and work towards bringing our vision(s) to life. It’s wonderful to be able to utilize both my creative and social side in the workplace.
What’s the best career-related advice you’ve ever received?
“Do what you love, and the money will come” Is something I live by. I consider myself quite a spiritual person, and I truly believe that whatever you put out, you receive. I believe that if you are following a path in life that truly resonates with your soul and your highest calling, good things will come to you. Financial stability is obviously one of the main pillars needed for a successful, fulfilling life, but if you aren’t doing what you love, you aren’t truly balanced. You can have fancy things and all the finer things in life, but if you aren’t doing what speaks to your soul, you aren’t truly wealthy.
What would you be doing if you weren’t working in the marketing and advertising industry?
If I had a different calling in life, I would be an earth scientist or a Geographer. It sounds funny, but besides art and English, Earth Science was my favorite subject. I’m a huge nerd when it comes to anything having to do with Geography, Geology, Oceanography, Astronomy, and Meteorology. I find it endlessly fascinating how all the natural systems of the planet perfectly coexist and interact with each other, and how humanity plays their part in the natural order of our planet. I really enjoy binge watching “How the Earth was Made” and Planet Earth on the history channel. (Highly recommend)
When you’re not working here at Celtic, what are you doing?
I have a wonderful group of friends I’ve made here in Milwaukee, which is incredibly fulfilling for my life, as I am quite a social person. If I’m not with them, I’m probably somewhere in the woods or on a beach hiking with my dog or writing and playing songs on my guitar. I find myself to be the most creatively inspired and clear-headed when I’m immersed in nature.
What’s your favorite bar in Milwaukee?
Totally not a bar, but I love going to Chill on the Hill every Tuesday. It’s right down the street from where I live, and it’s so nice to sit outside with all my friends, my dog, listen to live music, and have a drink. I love that Milwaukee has so many bier gardens. If I do go out to a bar, I prefer something like “La Cage”, simply for the drag shows and the positive, safe atmosphere.
Do you have any weird phobias?
I am honestly very creeped out by the ocean. I know I grew up in Charleston, South Carolina, so I should be saying the opposite, but since I’ve gotten so much exposure to the ocean, I’ve had many instances where I was incredibly close to sharks and other dangerous sea creatures. It’s more common to run into them than you think. I also really do not like the dark, and I sleep with lots of night lights on lol.
What is your dream vacation destination?
Definitely Japan or anywhere in Asia, for the food, culture, nature, and the art.
What is the first thing you’d do if you won the lottery?
I’d start my own Animation studio and hire dedicated artists trying to find their start in the industry. I’d also buy a big house in Milwaukee with a recording studio in it for music, and a big yard so I can adopt more Great Pyrenees.
